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Issue Home September 14, 2004 Site Home

HEADLINES:
Montrose Re-thinks Codes
Illegal Hookups Cause Problems
Commissioners Approve Incubator
Courthouse Report
Gibson Barracks Report

Lanesboro Council Meeting Minutes
Oakland Questions Codes, Zoning

Montrose Re-thinks Codes

Maybe some Montrose residents thought that borough council’s decision a couple of months ago to opt out of new UCC Codes meant that the statewide codes would not apply to the town. (They do.) Perhaps others were taking advantage of the absence of a codes enforcement officer when Shane Lewis resigned the day after the opt-out decision was made.

Whatever the reason, garages and decks are being built and additions being added with no one doing the overseeing or the permitting. This has some council members and Mayor Tom LaMont concerned.

Council member Randy Schuster said he thought the borough was doing a disservice to homeowners in the town. He was concerned that town setback rules for new structures were not being followed, along with other zoning regulations. And while he acknowledged that commercial interests had state Labor and Industry to work with, his thinking was that the borough needed to opt into an arrangement that would benefit borough residences and their properties.

Added council president Joel Maxey, "To me, we have no control as to what goes on as to building new decks or putting up a garage or an addition to a house." At least one home is being gutted, he said, with no clue as to what may be going on inside it.

Mayor LaMont noted that he’s already gotten a phone call from a resident who thought his neighbor was violating setback rules with a new structure. "Whose fault is that?" he asked. "There’s no one issuing permits. I would just as soon keep the town legal. There should be someone looking at setbacks, educating people as to what the state inspection requirements are for a construction permit." Without enforceable guidance, he thought that "people are going to be building a bunch of things willy-nilly here."

Council referred to a letter it received from the office manager at Broadline Construction in Montrose. He wrote that while council’s "opt-out decision has in the short term eased the burden of trying to deal with some of the last-minute changes to the code – in the long term, it has created a void in permit and code enforcement that could allow future work in the borough to be completed in ways that are below industry standards as well as code standards." The letter continued that, "In the long run, I view this code as a tool to protect the value of the properties in the borough tax base."

Whatever decision – opting in or out – that any municipality made last June or July can be changed. Borough secretary Annette Rogers will research the waiting period that must be satisfied if the borough decides to change its mind and opt in, and how that decision would affect the borough’s control and procedures of permitting and inspection of new construction in the town and what must be done to achieve it.

A couple of other situations were discussed about the town’s appearance. Maxey reported an encounter with a fellow from Dallas, TX who commented on the stretch of sidewalk from Craige’s store down to the traffic light. "I was embarrassed. It is disgusting," he said, with weeds sprouting through that section "looks like a ghost town," with dips and patches in the pavement presenting a safety hazard. Other council members were hard-pressed to disagree with Maxey.

Thus, council voted to send a letter to all business-owners reminding them that it is their responsibility to maintain the pavement in front of their businesses. Rogers will include a copy of the ordinance in the letter. As Rogers said, "Some business-owners are keeping the front of their businesses neat and safe; others are not," and they know which kind of business-owner they are.

Dead trees on Public Avenue and those that obstruct vision on South Main Street were also discussed. These are principally flowering crabapple trees that, apparently, some residents were delighted to have for the taking more than a decade ago, but who have not done much as to their pruning and maintenance since then. Schuster noted that he’s gotten phone calls at home about the hazard the untrimmed trees have become, obstructing speed limit and other traffic signs.

Council requested that streets foreman Ken DiPhillips take out the dead trees on Public Avenue and that Rogers send a letter to the landowners on South Main Street reminding them of their responsibility to trim their trees.

DiPhillips was on hand to report on work done to date and work going forward. His August report included progress on the paving project (prepping some streets for micro-paving, completing hot mix on others); putting down stone and oil for the south parking lot under the state Agility Program; road patching; vehicle maintenance; piping 300 feet of Kinds Street; raising the catch basins on Jessup Street; working on drainage problems at the park and fixing one behind the Dollar Store and Griffis lumber.

In September, DiPhillips expects to continue with the micro-paving, finish street patching, and putting down top soil on the Hinds Street yards when the piping project is finished.

DiPhillips reminded council about the number of cars left in town that have to be towed during the winter. With the season coming up, he requested the purchase of new snow-ordinance "no parking" signs for the south parking lot, as well as new signs in the business district to replace the current, much-faded ones. Cost for about 28 signs would be about $400, to be taken from appropriate borough accounts, and council was fine with DiPhillips’ recommendation, as they were with his recommendation of replacing some tires on the backhoe and skid steer before they break down during snow removal.

LaMont referred council to the police department’s monthly activity report included in the evening’s agenda package, and was pleased to see an increase in the number of citations issued for police stops. In August, this was 63 stops and 23 citations issued. He reported that the police are taking time with school starting up to focus on getting people to slow down in school areas.

LaMont also requested that if council knew anyone who spoke Spanish to get in touch with the police department. The reason being that the police are unable to communicate with Spanish-speaking residents of the borough and in one DUI incident, ended up driving the vehicle and its occupants to their homes. He said the police won’t do that again, and will instead boot the cars.

Council member Bernie Zalewski reported that residents have called to tell him that the traffic at Prospect and Griffis Street is getting busier and faster. Maxey suggested to LaMont that perhaps the police could become a presence at the intersection.

In other borough matters, Council decided to:

Advertise fuel bids;

Okay Rogers’ attendance at a seminar on "Developing a Personnel Manual" and one on liquid fuels;

On advice of borough solicitor, let the Baker property on Grow Avenue go to sheriff’s sale;

At the request of the United Fire Company, place "no parking" signs along two streets during a convention of volunteer firemen in September and to deliver all the borough’s barricades – Council requests that the fire company help DiPhillips in the unloading of the barricades that he’ll deliver to them;

Okay the payment of $27,500 to the Fire Company;

Make the speed limit on both sides of Chenango Street 25 miles per hour – currently, the limit is 35 on one side, 25 on the other;

Approve a sand volley ball and/or walking trail for Memorial Park and not, because of liability issues, a skateboard park – Rogers is working on a grant where, if the borough put up $20,000, the grant will provide an additional $40,000.

Rogers reported that while she received a quote of $119.95 for new and more secure parking meters, she is still awaiting a demonstration meter from the company to see how the meter works before council makes any decision.

The next regular meeting of the Montrose Borough Council is scheduled for October 4 at 7 p.m. in the Borough Building.

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Illegal Hookups Cause Problems

All members were present at the September 7 meeting of the Thompson Boro Council with the exception of Diane Sabatelli; secretary Diane Sheldon was also absent.

Continuing discussion from last month’s meeting, regarding a resident whose (second) sewer hookup had been completed under an emergency situation without a permit, president Dennis Price reported that he had spoken with the boro solicitor and the resident, and an agreement had been reached where the resident would pay a monthly installment of $100 until the fee had been satisfied. If council had pursued the matter through legal proceedings, most likely, due to the resident’s limited income, the monthly payment would have been much lower. And, there would have been additional legal costs involved; after discussion, a motion carried to accept the agreement on condition that payments are made to the boro in a timely manner.

Also discussed at previous meetings was having a concrete ramp installed at the sewage treatment plant. Mr. Price had obtained an estimate of $2,300. After discussion, a motion carried approving installation of the ramp pending approval by Mr. Price of the contractor’s specifications.

As of the date of the meeting, final figures for cost of the sewage project were not yet available. Council had discussed several options for use of any "leftover" funds. One project considered had been continuing new sidewalks in several areas. But, it was decided that a more worthwhile investment would be to use the funds towards items for the treatment plant that were not included in the project specifications, such as testing equipment and a cover for the plant’s pavilion, with removable siding to protect the pavilion during winter months. These items would help save on operation costs in the long-run, costs that would not have to eventually be passed along to residents hooked into the system. After discussion, a motion carried to approve purchase of lab equipment; other expenditures will be discussed once final project costs are available. And, Councilman Sheptak agreed to research grant funding for additional sidewalks.

Thompson Township has, according to a negotiated agreement, completed grading on several roads in the boro.

It had been determined that it would not be legally necessary for the boro to bid out for winter plowing and cindering as the estimated costs per season would be well below the level where bidding would be necessary. As Thompson Township had performed this service for the boro last season at a reasonable price, it was agreed to continue using the township’s services this coming winter. But, the boro would need to purchase their own cinders; the township is willing to purchase the material, with the boro to reimburse the cost and the township is willing to store the material. In the meantime, council will contact the township supervisors to see if they’d be willing to also plow and cinder the road leading to the sewage plant, and, if so, what the additional costs would be.

Vice president Andy Gardner reported that the Eastern Susquehanna County Partnership will be hosting a public meeting on September 20, 5:00 p.m. at the Thompson Hose Company to discuss results of a survey that had been randomly sent out to a quarter of the six member municipalities’ residents. These results will be used towards drafting a Comprehensive Plan, for which ESCP has received grant funding. The survey results will be used to give ESCP a focus on what the residents would like to see for the future of the area.

Council continued discussion from last month’s meeting, regarding an official "abandonment" of the boro’s old "wildcat" sewer system, to ensure that the boro would no longer be liable in the event that damage is caused from water in the system. It was thought that since use of the old system has been discontinued through construction of the new system this would, in effect, establish that the boro is no longer responsible for it. But, there is apparently at least one home surreptitiously using the system to dispose of storm water, which could eventually result in water damage. Mr. Price reported that he had looked into having the old system plugged off, but this could leave the boro open to liability in the event that plugging it causes a backup, which then causes damage. After discussion, it was agreed to discuss the boro’s options with the project engineer and the boro’s solicitor.

Mr. Price will also contact Pioneer, the project contractor, in response to a complaint about a water problem at a resident’s home, apparently caused by damage to sewer lines from the old system during construction.

PENNDOT will be contacted and requested to clean out several sluices (on state roads) that are apparently plugged.

Council has been attempting to contact the owner of a property that has not been in compliance with sewage hookup regulations, and to see what can be done about cleaning the property; Mr. Price will ask the boro solicitor for an update on his efforts to locate the property owner.

Council will be setting up a work session with CEO Shane Lewis to determine what the boro’s options are in regard to the cleanup, and to discuss the state property maintenance code which the boro has adopted.

Apparently, at least one property owner has been using the new sewage system to drain storm water from his/her home. Plant engineer Larry Travis explained that, during heavy rainfall, the storm water from one home could effectively overload the system. The water from one home, over a one-day span, could empty as much as 14,000 gallons of water into the system which would exceed the legal flow limit and result in a system failure. The boro can take legal action and levy fines, but the boro could also be liable to fines from DEP, costs which would then have be passed on to all property owners hooked into the system. After discussion, Mr. Gardner agreed to compose a letter to residents explaining the possible outcomes of using the system to dispose of storm water, including information on the fines involved. If the problem persists, there are ways of determining exactly where the water is coming from; the appropriate legal action will then be taken once the source of the water is determined.

In response to some problems encountered with the PA American Water Co. billing for sewage maintenance fees, Mr. Gardner reported that he had been in contact with PAWC. It had been determined that there had been some billing address errors on PAWC’s part, and that some structures with multiple EDU’s had been billed for only one. These problems were taken care of, and PAWC will be sending out revised bills to those addresses affected.

Mayor Delaney has been working with a committee to design "Welcome to Thompson" signs, which will be funded through proceeds from the boro’s town fair. It was agreed that four signs should be purchased, one for each major entrance into the boro.

Correspondence reviewed included information on a counter-terrorism conference on September 21; information on an Emergency Management Coordinator workshop; a recycling drive hosted by the county for hazardous household waste; information for the owners of storage facilities giving the warning signs for terrorist activities; notice that a boro property will be listed at an upset sale by the county Tax Claim Bureau; information from PENNDOT regarding highway occupancy permits; information regarding a DCNR grant application workshop; a survey from the county regarding mosquito control; and information from PENNDOT requesting that municipalities become "registered business partners," which would allow electronic access to information.

One item led to considerable discussion, a request from the Montrose Minutemen to enact a resolution designating the Minutemen as the boro’s primary dispatch for Advanced Life Support services. As council did not want to take any action that might adversely affect the Thompson Hose Co. Ambulance, it was agreed to ask a representative from the Thompson ambulance to come to the next meeting and explain exactly what the request entailed.

The next meeting will be on Monday, October 4, 7:30 p.m. in the fire hall.

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Commissioners Approve Incubator

The Susquehanna County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution last week that will pave the way for the opening of a county-sponsored business incubator plan.

The resolution enters the county into an agreement with Thomas W. Mailey of Horseheads, NY, for the creation of a Business Incubator Strategic and Operations Plan. Last year, Mr. Mailey completed a feasibility study for the county and his findings indicated a need for the incubator.

A business incubator is an economic development tool designed to accelerate the growth and success of businesses through an array of business support resources and services. The main objective is to teach prospective businessmen and women the do’s and don’ts of running a successful business. A new business can get launched in the incubator and grow enough to move out on its own and occupy a place in the community.

Mr. O’Malley will be paid $6,500 to get the business incubator up and running. The money will come from a grant secured through the county Planning Commission.

Elizabeth Janoski, director of the county’s Economic Development Department, said she hopes the business incubator will be open next spring. While a vacant building in New Milford has frequently been mentioned as the logical site for the business incubator, Mrs. Janoski said other sites will also be considered.

Mr. O’Malley will best be remembered for launching one of the area’s successful business incubators in Carbondale. Ironically, Justin Taylor, who brought the idea of a business incubator to Susquehanna County when he was the county’s Economic Development Director, is now the mayor of Carbondale.

In another matter, the commissioners appointed Kim Ross to the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau filling a post left by the resignation of Mrs. Janoski. Ms. Ross will finish Mrs. Janoski’s term on the bureau that ends June 30, 2006.

Commissioner Jeff Loomis said the move was made to curtain some of Mrs. Janoski’s responsibilities and to free her so she can devote more time to the Economic Development Department. He said the department is currently preparing a five-year plan and will need Mrs. Janoski to do research that will determine what will be included in the plan.

Motions passed by the commissioners included:

-Accepting for revue a single bid to install a rubberized coating on the roof of the county-owned building on Public Avenue currently occupied by Children and Youth Services. Astec Systems of Binghamton, NY, submitted the bid of $8,550.

-Ratifying the hiring of Leonore Maston to the part-time position in the Voter Registration Office. The Salary Board agreed to pay Ms. Maston $7.60 an hour with no benefits.

-Awarding a contract in the amount of $9,570 to MSE Environmental of Camarillo, CA, for removal of household hazardous waste.

In other Salary Board business, the job title and description of assistant supervisor in the maintenance department was changed to maintenance foreman at a starting salary of $10.64 per hour and elevated an opening in the department from part time to full-time with a starting rate of $7.19 an hour.

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Courthouse Report

DEEDS

David F. Bianco to Bronson Pinchot, in Harford Township for one dollar.

Susan DeGroot Petrow and Ronald E. Beauchamp to Bronson Pinchot, in Harford Township for $110,000.

Sara Lee Barbour to James Barbour and Kim Barbour, in Liberty Township for one dollar.

Sara Lee Barbour to Ann Marie Summers and Glendon Summers, in Liberty Township for one dollar.

Joseph A. Monteforte (by attortney), Linda L. Monteforte, James A. Monteforte, and Diane Lee Monteforte to Kenneth M. Gerland and Cathy S. Gerland, in Harford Township for $70,000.

Serafin Revocable Trust (by trustee) to Donald S. Serafin and Jean Meriwether, in Gibson Township for one dollar.

Philip A. Strawn and Nicole Strawn to Magda McHenka and Jason J. Legg, in Silver Lake Township for $150,000.

Donna M. Fekette and Thomas J. Lopatofsky to Kenneth G. Kissam and Lynn E. Kissam for $46,000.

Donna Williams (aka) Donna L. Williams to Jeffrey D. Williams and Beth Ann Williams, in Brooklyn Township for one dollar.

John J. Pompey, Barbara Pompey, Dominick G. Pompey, Judith A. Pompey, Edward M. Pompey, and Marlene Pompey to Lawrence P. Franko and Debra A. Franko, in Springville Township for $54,040.

Gary HJ. Osilka, David F. Hychalk, and Mary M. Osilka (by poa) to David Hychalk and Kathryn A. Hychalk, in Franklin Township for $12,000.

Harold S. Davenport and Janet L. Dunn Davenport to Matthew McGowan and Marion G. McGowan, in Dimock Township for $105,000.

Maria T. Feeney to Christopher DeDonis, in Auburn Township for $140,000.

Bonnie Bellis (nbm) Bonnie Teed, and Stacey Teed to Stacey Teed and Bonnie Teed, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar.

Audrey J. Odnoha to Stuart Sharenow and Leslie Stein Sharenow, in Bridgewater Township for $182,500.

John G. Taylor III and Sandra L. Taylor to Cheryl L. Lobdell, in New Milford Township for $80,000.

Gail Carpenter (by sheriff) to Citifinancial Mortgage Co. Inc. (fka) Associates CDC, in Clifford Township for one dollar.

Thomas W. Brydon and Martha Brydon to Susan DeGroot Petrow and Ronald e. Beauchamp, in Harford Township for $95,900.

Thomas W. Rodway and Rose Marie Rodway to Frantz J. Lincoln and Megan E. Lincoln, in Springville Township for $150,000.

Elsie Kilmer to Arthure M. Lucarelli, Cheryl L. Lucarelli, and Wayne Volpe, in Great Bend and New Milford Townships for $66,000.

Eugene E. Wright and Sandra M. Wright to Raymond L. Crouthamel Jr. and Denise A. Crouthamel, in Harford Township for $120,000.

Eugene E. Wright and Sandra M. Wright to Richard A. Hunter and Patricia V. Hunter, in Harford Township for $5,000.

Joseph P. Chrzaszcz, Tammy Chrzaszcz, and Joseph P. Chrzaszcz to MLORF Properties, in Great Bend Township for $74,500.

Emmett J. Wilkinson an Jean R. Wilkinson to Mark Williams and Jeffrey Williams, in Brooklyn Township for $120,000.

Hassan Khalil and Eva A. Ibrahim to Dean E. Brewer and Christine J. Brewer, in Bridgewater Township for $154,000.

Deborah H. Weidow to John P.Potter and Donna M. Potter, in Hop Bottom Borough for $2,000.

Dean E. Brewer, Christine J. Brewer, and Christine J. Brewer (nbm) to Sally A. Goff, in Montrose for $83,000.

Charlotte Ducas to Charlotte Ducas, John Ducas Jr. and Lauren Ducas, in Harford Township for one dollar.

Alice Clink to Scott W. Fuhrey and Eliza L. Fuhrey, in Springville Township, for one dollar.

James M. Loeh and Theresa A. Loeh to James M. Loeh and Theresa A. Loeh, in Clifford Township for one dollar.

Harvey Hugaboom to Florence M. Hugaboom, in Ararat Township for one dollar.

Edward A. Ims and Lucille C. Ims to Llawrence A. Brown and Linda A. Brown, in Herrick Township for $25,000.

Carolyn E. Rivenburgh and Thomas Rivenburgh to William O. Geesey Jr., Dorothy M. Thurston, and Alan N. Geesey, in Ararat Township for $30,000.

Allan E. Casella to Carol Ann Murphy, in Ararat Township for $91,500.

William F. Addesso and Maureen A. Addesso to James M. Concello in Jackson Township for $37,500.

Michael T. Goskowski and Josephine A. Goskowski to Patrick S. Coles and Kimberly A. Coles, in Forest City for $82,000.

Rosella Torch (estate) to Delval Sportsman Partners of Susquehanna, in Oakland Township for $68,500.

Gary B. Kline, Maureen Kline, Russell I. Heigh, Susan D. Heigh, Herbert Kline, and Patricia P. Kline to Herbert A. Kline, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar.

Herbert A. Kline, Patricia P. Kline, Russell I. Heigh, Susan D. Heigh, Gary B. Kline and Maureen Kline to Gary B. Kline and Maureen Kline, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar.

Herbert A. Kline, Patricia P. Kline, Gary B. Kline, Maureen Kline, Russel I. Heigh, Susan D. Heigh, in Silver Lake Township for one dollar.

Eleanor Pannepacker to Steven S. Pannepacker and Sheila A. Pennepacker, in Harmony Township for $66,500.

Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. and Bankers Trust Co. of CA to Gary J. Simon and Julie N. Simon, in Liberty Towship for $68,600.

Cary J. Simon and Julie N. Simon to Cary J. Simon, in Liberty Township for one dollar.

George E. Frailey Jr., Laurie R. Frailey, and Loretta M. Frailey to Loretta M. Frailey and Rita K. Brailey, in Hallstead Borough for one dollar.

George E. Frailey Jr., Laurie E. Frailey, and Loretta M. Frailey to George E. Frailey Jr. and Laurie R. Frailey, in Great Bend Township and Hallstead Borough for one dollar.

Jerry W. Hayner and Ramona Hayner to Roger E. Stewart and Erin K. Stewart, in Forest Lake Township for $76,500.

MARRIAGES

Jerald Edward Gere, South Montrose, and Janet Marie Fuller, Vestal, NY.

Timothy David Harris, Susquehanna, and Carisa Ann Stanton, Susquehanna.

Frederick Joseph Mall, New Milford, and Barbara A. Reynolds, New Milford.

Joseph Leonard Zentmyer III, Kingsley, and Rochelle A. Pisarchuk, Kingsley.

Matthre Martin Millard, Brackney, and Mary Beth Fiacco, Endwell, NY.

Kevin Wayne McCarthy, Endicott, NY, and Victoria Ann Wheeler, Endicott, NY.

DIVORCES

Loyellen Burgess, Rushville, vs. Roger Edward Burgess, Laceyville.

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Gibson Barracks Report

MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH

At 5 a.m. on the morning of August 24, Charles Clarkson, Harford, lost control of his 1992 Plymouth on a curve on East Lake Road in New Milford Township and struck a guide rail. Clarkson, who was uninjured, fled the scene and will be charged with failing to keep his car on the road.

MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH

Susan Biancarello-Leo, Forest City, received a minor injury when she lost control of her 2004 Ford Explorer on State Route 247 in Clifford Township. The vehicle left the roadway and struck several trees. Biancarello-Leo, who was wearing a seat belt, was taken to CMC in Scranton for treatment. The Explorer received moderate damage to its front end in this accident that happened on the evening of September 8.

BURGLARY/THEFT

Sometime between August 12 and 22, an unknown person(s) removed several items from a storage trailer belonging to Peter Schmeid, Susquehanna, on Bear Swamp Road off Route 171 in Harmony Township. Anyone with information is asked to please call the State Police at 465-3154. State police are requesting that residents in the area of the Road keep alert for non-familiar vehicles in the area.

WANTED PERSON

Michael Dissinger, Lowell, Florida, was wanted in the Sunshine State for a parole violation. He was found at the Fiorentino Quarry in Bridgewater Township and taken into custody without incident on August 18. State police were assisted at the scene by the County Sheriff and Adult Probation.

BURGLARY/THEFT

Unknown person(s) arrived at the residence belonging to Daniel Ricci, Bridgewater Township, and broke into his pole barn between the evening of August 29 and the following morning. Stolen were a green Polaris Ranger 4x4 (ATV) with a white top, dump body, brush guard, winch and plow set-up. Anyone with information is asked to please call the State Police at 465-3154.

TRAFFIC CRASH

This crash occurred when a juvenile from Susquehanna was operating a Xing-Fu Motorcycle (off-road) along Township road 842 in Oakland Township in the late afternoon of August 21 and collided head-on with a 1995 Saturn driven by Zachary Smith, Clifford. The accident happened because the juvenile was traveling on the wrong side of the road. Smith received no injury and the juvenile received moderately injuries. The state police were assisted at the scene by the Susquehanna Fire Department and the juvenile was treated at Barnes Kasson and released.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

Following a race on the evening of September 3 at the Penn Can Speedway in Oakland Township, an unknown man smashed five windows at the Speedway ticket booth. Anyone with information is asked to please call the State Police at 465-3154.

TRAFFIC CRASH

Jeffrey Sherman, Lanesboro, lost control of his 1997 Ford Escort on State Route 1021 in Brushville and overcompensated in the curves in the road. He was not injured in the accident that happened on the morning of August 18, but will have related charges filed against him.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

Sometime between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on September 7, an unknown person(s) placed a plastic bottle with an explosive device into the mailbox belonging to Sharon Soden, Thompson Township, which exploded and damaged the mailbox. Anyone with information is asked to please call the State Police at 465-3154.

THEFT

The state police are investigating the theft of truck batteries that were stolen from a vehicle in the parking lot at CGE Environmental in Bridgewater Township sometime between the evening of August 26 and the following morning. Anyone with information is asked to please call the State Police at 465-3154.

HARASSMENT

State troopers responded to a trailer in Harmony Village Trailer Park, Great Bend Township, for a report of a domestic dispute and a theft on the evening of August 31. Wendy Gross, 38, New Milford, accused trailer park resident David Troy Warner, 42, of choking her and pulling her hair. Warner accused Gross of taking his strongbox. Charges will be not filed since both parties decided to prosecute.

SCATTERING RUBBISH

An unknown person(s) took 4 bags of assorted household refuse and dumped it along Lower Rhiney Creek Road in Liberty Township sometime between August 19 and 29. Anyone with information is asked to please call the State Police at 465-3154.

ATTEMPTED BURGLARY

On the evening of September 29, Thompson Police responded to a residence on State Route 1005 for a burglar alarm and found Leo Mazepa, 26, at the house. A check of the house showed there had been an attempt to disable the alarm and to enter the residence, although no entry was made. Evidence was recovered at the scene and Mazepa has been charged with attempted burglary, attempted criminal trespass and criminal mischief. He was arraigned before District Justice Janicelli and remanded to the county jail on $100,000 bail.

BURGLARY

At a trailer off Route 267 in Choconut Township, someone forced open a padlocked door with an unknown blunt tool and then went through the trailer and broke all the windows before fleeing the scene. This incident was reported on August 28.

RETAIL THEFT

Around 5 a.m. on September 5, a white female about 18 years old was reported to have pumped gas at the Penn Can Truck Stop in Harford Township and left without paying for it. Her vehicle is described as a 2000 silver sedan, with a design like an Accord. Anyone with information is asked to please call the State Police at 465-3154.

RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY

A 1990 Ford Aerostar van stolen from Katherine Lovelace, Schenectady, was found abandoned on the morning of September 3 at the Ho-Mart on Route 492 in New Milford Township.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

Between August 28 and 30, someone put blue marks on the siding of a home belonging to Patricia Bliss, Hallstead. Anyone with information is asked to please call the State Police at 465-3154.

THEFT

Between 8 and 9 p.m. on August 28, an unknown person(s) took the wallet of a teenager working at Smokin Joe’s in Great Bend. The wallet had been near the employee’s work area, but not completely inaccessible to the public.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

Someone threw a rock through a window at the Hometown Animal Hospital along Route 11 in Great Bend Township sometime between the evening of September 2 and the following morning.

THEFT

Between the evening of September 1 and the morning of September 3, an unknown person(s) stole two ornamental items from a property belonging to William R. Kane, Great Bend Township.

ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN

On the evening of August 16, John Baker, 32, Great Bend, operated his vehicle with his 20-month-old daughter on the front seat without a child safety seat. He then left the child in the unattended vehicle, which rolled down the driveway and across Orchard Road into a field. Baker will be charged with endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, and several traffic violations. The little girl was not injured.

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Lanesboro Council Meeting Minutes

Following are the August 3, 2004 Lanesboro Council meeting minutes as submitted by Gail Hanrahan, Secretary.

Present: President Chris Maby, VP Dan Boughton, Ray Barnes, Bob Page, Bob Mireider, Regina Dilello, Paul Corse, Mayor Dave Slater, Secretary Gail Hanrahan, Officer Bob VanFleet and visitors Sandy Davis, Mel and Debbie Gruber, David and Janet Sexton, James and Linda Oakley, Jerry and Sandy Benson, Tim Elliott, Adrienne Rigo, Stan Rockwell.

Chris Maby called the meeting to order.

Minutes: motion to accept minutes as written with change of spelling of name (Rauch) by Dilello, seconded by Page. Unanimous, so carried.

Visitors: Mel Gruber asked about codes report on property adjoining his, no report. Second, to preface his remarks, not attacking police but has to do with the race strip where he lives. As quoted: "If something happens to one of my family members or me, I will sue the Boro of Lanesboro and the State of New York." Mr. Gruber attended the last council meeting and had three license plate numbers of speeders in his area. Officer VanFleet stated that he has one of the numbers and has clocked the individual and has nothing to stop him for. Mr. Gruber invites the police to sit with him for an hour, not ten minutes, not five minutes, not three minutes but an hour and clock the speeds as the vehicles are going 50, 60, and 70 mph past his house. His wife was almost struck by two kids racing. Officer VanFleet states that he can arrest on say so, but the person complaining must appear in court also. At this time, the meeting became loud and Maby asked to keep the meeting civil. Anyone out of order or raising his or her voice will be asked to leave. Mr. Gruber reported trucks speeding. It is a 30 mph speed limit and people getting stopped are being let go at 50 mph. Maybe a speed sign would make the drivers aware of how fast they are really going. Ideas discussed – unmarked car, police in different vehicles, different hours. At this time Mrs. Oakley was asked to leave because she was out of control. It was stated that stop signs and speed bumps are at the decision of the state. Not enough traffic to warrant a stoplight. Radar is not an option for the boro. Maby suggested forming a sub-committee or discussion group of council members, police and concerned residents to investigate the avenues open to what can be done to get the traffic to slow down. Meeting to be advertised for September 1, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.

Police report: 30 arrests, 1 crimes code.

Mayor’s report: Mayor Slater thanked the police for a job well done.

Street commission: road repairs and resurfacing. Maby spoke to company regarding resurfacing of roads. No estimate received as yet. Will try to make contact this week.

Jefferson St. Repairs: Quarry owner stated he would have the road fixed by end of year. Boro can’t keep waiting. The longer we wait the worse it gets. The road is posted and bonded. Quarry owner states that he is getting a grant, but we have no specs regarding repairs. Motion made by Corse, seconded by Dilello to send letter to the quarry asking for detailed agenda and specs by the September meeting. If not complete, the borough will call the bond. Solicitor to write letter. Unanimous vote, so carried.

Community Center: Regina noted an upcoming (1) commercial rental for tool sale.

Maby spoke with manager of recycling center regarding a dumpster for the bottle returns. Idea is to sell the returns in bulk; must get a price per ton in writing. Will provide further update at the next meeting.

Secretary/Treasurer report: not available due to reorganization of books, including the creation of a ledger book. Will carryover meeting to accept report – scheduled for August 10.

Unfinished business: EMC update – letters sent to request information on special needs in boro as to age of children, etc., in case of an emergency. Info will not be shared with anyone, other than emergency personnel and the County EMC.

Code enforcement: Code enforcer Lewis had a meeting with lawyer regarding one property in boro. Process is ongoing. Further update will hopefully be provided at September meeting.

Police report on boro computer: received regarding report of computer pornography. Boro has passed an ordinance prohibiting pornography on boro property (not residents’ property); any offenders will be fined and punished to the full extent of law.

Delinquent accounts: judgments filed, if no response next steps to be taken – judgments to hold lien on property or sheriff sale of property.

Meeting continuation 8/10/04: motion to accept treasurer’s report. Unanimous, so carried.

Lanesboro Cemetery Association has requested the use of the community center for a boro wide yard sale to benefit the association. They request a $5.00 donation from anyone wishing to hold a sale on that date to help cover the cost of advertising, etc. Motion to grant the use of the center. Unanimous, so carried.

Motion for adjournment. Unanimous, so carried.

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Oakland Questions Codes, Zoning

Oakland Boro Council’s September 9 meeting was attended by all members with the exception of Chad Crawford.

The boro’s auditor, Joe Collura was present to answer questions that had been raised by publication of the annual audit report, particularly a loss of approximately $23,000. Mr. Collura explained that this did not represent an actual dollar loss, but reflected a depreciation of the water company’s equipment over a number of years. The water company’s actual cash loss was closer to $150. He plans to redesign the audit reports to reflect a more accurate profit or loss in the future. He added that this was the first year that all of the boro’s accounts were included in the audit.

During review of the treasurer’s reports, Councilman Dubanowitz had several questions. One was whether the boro or the water company had been charged with the costs for gravel and where it had actually been used. And, he questioned payment for an outside laborer. Who, he asked, had authorized that, and whose (liability) insurance was the individual covered by while he was doing work for the boro? Council will check with Mr. Crawford to see if he or the water company had authorized the work. Council will find the answers to both questions and discuss their findings at the next meeting.

CEO Shane Lewis was on hand to answer questions that had arisen regarding whether it was legal for a resident to be living in the boro in a camper. A municipality could not discriminate, but could ensure that all legal responsibilities are met. He explained the definition of a camper; it is self sufficient if it has working facilities (sewage, water, electric) and legal license plates. If it does not have plates, but is hooked up to sewage, electric and water, then it is also legal. In this particular case, there have been complaints from residents about a noisy generator at the site. Council had met with the property owner and had reached an agreement, specifying a time frame when the structure would be hooked up to electricity, and when the camper would be replaced by a trailer (mobile home). As there were two weeks left to the part of the agreement covering electrical hookup, no action would be taken yet; but, if the time limit elapsed and it had not been done, then legal steps would be taken. In the meantime, Mr. Lewis is keeping in contact with GPU to determine when the service is to be hooked up in the event that GPU is responsible for the delay. And, once the trailer is put in, there are legal guidelines for setbacks, skirting, etc., that must be followed.

A question was asked regarding a proposed child care facility opening in the boro. Mr. Lewis responded that, since the boro does not have zoning, the facility would need to meet basic commercial inspection requirements. Another question was in regard to a building that has a handicap ramp, but no hand rails. Mr. Lewis said that, in this case, the specifications in effect when the permit was issued, in this case in 1998, would apply.

The committee set up to oversee the grant with Susquehanna Boro, for a shared codes enforcement program will begin to meet now that the funds have been received.

A bid for paving work had been awarded to ProSeal, with work expected to begin shortly.

The final draft of the resolution to authorize formation of the Community Study Group was ready for review. A meeting will be set up with the group, which is a task force formed to look into the feasibility of converting the boro building into a senior housing unit and any other community improvements that may be possible, such as resuming production of electricity at the dam on the Susquehanna River.

Several items of correspondence were read regarding the deteriorating retaining wall on River Road, all of which indicates that PENNDOT will not accept responsibility for replacing the wall. Grant funding is available in the amount of $20,000, but accepting the grant would mandate that an engineer be used on the project, not only for drawing up plans, but to be on-site during the actual construction, final project cost to be anywhere from $80,000 to $110,000. It was decided that the cost to the boro would be considerably lower if the grant was not used. As there were a host of reasons why the wall should be replaced as soon as possible, it was agreed that council members Crawford and Dibble should prepare specs and put the project out to bid. A motion carried to authorize them to do so, and to proceed with obtaining a loan to finance the work.

The boro solicitor has approved a clause to be included in the deed for the Battisti property, which is in the process of being sold. The concession stand at the boro park is about two feet over the property line, partially on the Battisti’s property. They have included a stipulation in the deed that the stand be allowed to remain; but, if it is taken down for any reason it must be rebuilt on the boro’s property. The Battisti’s were commended for their thoughtfulness.

Resident Wendy Dudley attended a grant application seminar, to obtain information towards applying for a DCNR grant for improvements to the park. The grant could bring $20,000 to the boro, she reported, with another $40,000 possible in matched funding. The boro’s share of the match could be raised through fund-raisers, or through donation pledges. As there is a deadline coming up shortly for the application, Mrs. Dudley asked for council’s approval to proceed with the application, and for some volunteers to help with its completion. Resident Carol Trevarthan, who has had some experience with grant applications, agreed to help; any other interested resident should contact Mrs. Dudley. A motion carried to adopt a resolution approving the application, and to authorize the park committee to give their input and approve a plan for improvements to be made if the grant is approved; the plan must be submitted along with the application.

Mrs. Dudley said that there are also grant programs the boro could apply to in order to try to purchase a parcel of land adjacent to the park that is for sale. The boro had had "first refusal" when the property first came up for sale, but at the time was unable to meet the asking price, which has since increased.

Mr. Dibble reported that a trailer on River Road has been cleaned out, and has been slated for demolition.

It was an evening for resignations; Cynthia Beavan notified council that, as of this date, she was resigning from her positions on SOLIDA and River Bounty, and would not be available to work on the Community Study Group. George Smith also tendered his resignation as Emergency Management Coordinator; a letter he submitted cited the many hours of research he had put into information about obtaining emergency equipment and other reports, which, he said, apparently no one was interested in.

Mrs. Trevarthan brought information to council from the county board of elections, and asked if the boro building would be able to meet handicap accessibility requirements by the next election, November 2. As council’s answer was "no," Mrs. Trevarthan reported that the Canawacta Rod & Gun Club had been approached about using their building as a polling place. The club would be meeting the following Monday, at which time the matter would be brought up for its members’ approval.

A representative from the Federal Regulatory Commission was scheduled the day following the meeting to conduct an inspection of the power plant at the dam.

The boro’s liquid fuels accounts were scheduled for a state audit on September 21.

Council approved secretary Flo Brush’s attendance at a liquid fuels training course. In their packets, Mrs. Brush furnished council with a list of workshops scheduled to be held in the area on a number of topics so that they could determine if there were any that they were interested in attending.

A motion carried to proceed with enacting an ordinance designating an independent auditor for the boro, rather than elected ones.

Two letters were reviewed, one from the Montrose Minutemen and one from the Broome Volunteer Ambulance, both asking to be designated as the boro’s primary dispatch unit for Advanced Life Support services. Both letters listed pertinent information about their respective services, including location and manpower available. A motion to approve the Minutemen was met with a tie vote, three for and three against. When Mayor Towner was asked to break the tie, he recommended tabling the matter pending more information. Both concerns will be contacted, as well as the Susquehanna Fire Department Ambulance, to determine how, if at all, this designation would affect them.

Mr. Dubanowitz reported that he has continued to look into getting a cell tower in the area. One company he contacted is booked through the end of the year, but is willing to meet with him some time next year. He is still waiting for a response from a second firm that he contacted.

And, Mr. Agler will look into a complaint about a water problem at Prospect and Chestnut Streets where the ditch apparently needs to be dug out.

The meeting adjourned to an executive session.

The next meeting will be on Thursday, October 14, 7:00 p.m. in the boro building.

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